Manhunt

By Laura L. Zimmerman

Gentle waves brushed against the rocks of the southern California beach, the sun dipping into the ocean. Seagulls chattered as they pecked over scraps of food left on the empty beach.

Mariana jogged down the worn boardwalk, her bare feet stinging from the fading heat of the day. Glancing over her shoulder, she climbed down the connecting rocks that led to the water.

She found a smooth, flat rock and knelt.

Her long blonde hair spilled over her shoulder. She tossed it back, her fingers running along the teardrop-shaped azure pendant at her neck.

Her heart raced as she narrowed her gaze. She was alone.

She swallowed, then touched the water’s surface. A soft buttery glow spread along the waves in a golden haze.

Seconds later, a head broke the surface of the water. A face that matched Mariana’s in every detail.

“Marella,” she whispered, a smile breaking across her face.

Her twin swam closer, grinning back at her with full rose-hued lips. Marella’s ice-colored eyes glinted in the fading light.

“Is he coming?” Marella licked her lips. “I’m hungry.”

Mariana’s mouth curled into a nefarious grin. “Dinner will be here in a few minutes. He’s a handsome one, too.” She pouted. “After we’re finished with him, I’ll need to come back in the water. My skin feels like parchment. It’s been over a month.”

Marella swished her lavender-colored tail, swimming closer. “Of course, sister. I’m sorry it’s been so long. But you must admit, our plan has worked once again.”

Mariana bit her lip, laughter bubbling up. “It has! Where shall we go next? I hear the coast of Australia is beautiful at this time of year. Their population needs thinning.”

“Yes!” Marella’s smile grew wicked. “We’ll have the whole island of men to ourselves.”

Mariana’s eyes flashed black. “We must be careful when disposing of the bodies this time. We barely escaped that mob in Italy.”

Marella startled and disappeared beneath the waves.

Mariana pulled in a slow breath, calming her pulse. Then she stood, smoothing her hair. She didn’t turn around, even when she heard Calvin’s footsteps on the boardwalk.

“Mariana?” His voice rumbled in tandem with the waves.

She turned and feigned surprise. “Cal? Oh good. You found me.” Her smile turned mischievous. “I was just taking in the gorgeous view. Join me?”

Cal’s face grew rigid. “Is it safe down there?”

She giggled. “Of course! I sit down here all the time.” With an air of innocence, she flipped her hair. “You can hold onto me if you lose your balance.”

The crease between his brows deepened, but he reached down, taking her hand to navigate the rocks. Her stomach grumbled.

He straightened. “That wasn’t so bad, I guess.”

She slipped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. Invisible flames engulfed her throat. Her hunger was insatiable. “This is much more secluded than up on that boring boardwalk.”

He settled his hands on her waist, pulling her against him. “Much better.”

An electric hum fluttered through her fingers as she prepared for her attack.

Cal leaned in to kiss her—

Something sharp stung her neck. Mariana gasped, pulling back.

She opened her mouth to speak… but nothing came out. Her jaw hung ajar, one hand pressed against the wound.

Cal held a small black object. Heat flared in her chest.

“Sorry, Mariana.” He shook his head. “But two can play at this game.”

Before she could brace herself, he grabbed her necklace with one hand and pushed her into the ocean with the other.

She crashed below the water’s surface like the fury of a storm, her emerald-colored tail elongating. Without her necklace, she couldn’t hold the glamour of her legs. Her gaze was on fire as she came above the water.

Cal knelt on the rock, just far enough back that he was out of reach. He swung her necklace around his fingers. “Too bad it had to end like this. But I’m not ready to become dinner just yet.” He shrugged.

She held the edge of the rock, grabbing for her necklace. She missed. Ire bubbled in her veins.

The water around her foamed to life. Marella.

Her sister’s head appeared right beside her. Dread filled Mariana’s ribcage. She couldn’t warn her that the black device had stolen her voice!

Cal stung Marella in the neck with his device. The siren flailed in silent pain.

He stood. “Can’t have either of you using your siren song on me.”

Mariana glared at him with enough vitriol to melt his face off. How dare he! A mere human.

“I’ve been tracking you two for years.” A muscle along Cal’s jaw flexed. “Time’s up.”

Two more heads crested the surface of the water, one on either side of Marella and Mariana. Mermen.

A few dozen feet behind them several boats rumbled over.

Dark spots clouded Mariana’s vision. She glared at Cal, her hands fisted in rage.

Cal nodded. “I can’t believe we partnered with the mermen, either. But the two of you have been causing havoc all over the world. Even your fellow merfolk aren’t willing to deal with the fallout from your actions any longer.”

He glanced at one of the mermen. “Be sure they make it onto the boat without escaping. I’ve got a fish tank in my basement.” He looked at Mariana. “Built specifically for you.”

He turned to walk away. An inferno flashed through her body. She pushed against the rock to leap at him, a silent scream ripping against her throat. He would pay for this!

One of the mermen looped a net over her head, yanking her back. Her chest tightened as she saw Marella caught in a net, too. The net closed, trapping her arms against her sides.

Cal paused. “I’m surprised you didn’t recognize me. Five years ago you lured the wrong guy into your trap. A guy that looks just like me?”

Her jaw flexed, her gaze filled with wrath.

“You killed my twin.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Laura L. Zimmerman lives in a tiny rural town in south-central Pennsylvania with her husband, daughters, and four adorable kitties. She is currently a drinker-of-coffee by day, writer by night. Besides staying active with yoga, she’s passionate about anything Harry Potter or Jane Austen, and singing loudly. An avid reader, she often has overdue library fines, and a TBR pile as tall as the Eiffel Tower. Check out the first two books in her Banshee Song series, Keen, and Lament, along with her middle-grade mystery R.A.D. Detectives: The Case of the Missing Robot!

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